Chapter 2
My world, in that moment, was shaped by this.
I looked down at the blood oozing from under the Band-Aid. For the first time, I felt no pain.
All I could feel was a deep, bone-chilling numbness.
It was never just the last matter that broke my hope. It was every single one along the way.
What completely pushed me away from that so-called "home" for good was a set of models Tyler stole.
That day, Della Carter, the owner of the new convenience store at the school, showed up.
Della was a middle-aged woman who looked very gentle, but at that moment, her face was full of non-negotiable seriousness.
She held a receipt in her hand and handed it directly to Mabel.
She said, "Mabel, this afternoon, your son Tyler took an original Saint Seiya model from my store. Take a look. It's worth about 300 dollars. I have security footage. Do you want to take a look?"
Mabel's usually sharp face flushed an ugly shade in an instant.
She blurted out, "No way! Tyler is a good kid. How could he steal things? Don't try to frame us!"
Della didn't argue with her. She just said calmly, "Alright. Let's call the police and let them deal with it.
"It is enough for them to press charges.
"By then, everyone will know that Tyler is a thief. Who dares to work with him in the future?"
Her words stabbed Mabel right in her weak spot.
All her hopes were on Tyler. She couldn't let anything mess up his life.
Mabel immediately changed her tune, putting on a dramatic show. She said, "Ms. Carter, you know our situation. Our whole family relies on Clifford's tiny salary.
"We really don't have the money to pay you.
"Tyler's just a kid. He didn't know any better. It's just a toy. Why are you so serious about it?"
Tyler was so scared that he hid in the room, locked the door, and didn't even dare to make a sound.
I stood aside, like I was completely invisible.
Della's voice was firm as she said, "Mabel, business has its rules. What he took was not an ordinary toy, but the most expensive thing in my store.
"If I don't pay today, I can only call the police."
Mabel's eyes darted around, weighing her options.
Paying? No way. But letting Tyler's record get tainted? She would never accept it.
Her eyes scanned the room like a vulture searching for its next meal, and finally landed on me.
In that instant, I saw a scheming flicker in her gaze.
My heart dropped straight into my stomach. A chilling premonition wrapped itself around my heart.
Suddenly, Mabel flashed a fake smile, dragged me in front of her, and pushed me towards Della.
She said, "Ms. Carter! Don't be angry. This whole thing's gotten out of hand. How about this?"
She pointed at me like she was showing off a product. She continued, "My eldest daughter, Nora, is thirteen and quick on her feet!
"Let her go to your store to work and pay off the debts. Do you think it's okay?
"Cleaning, stocking shelves, running the register, whatever you need!"
I stared at Mabel in shock.
My own mother was actually trying to give me off like I was just some object.
Della was also stunned. She looked at the thin girl with fear in her eyes and frowned tightly.
Della said, with a hint of anger in her voice, "Mabel, what do you mean? This is a small business, not a human trafficker den!"
Mabel's grin got even brighter as she said, "No, how could this be trafficking? It's just paying off a debt!
"She'll stay and eat at your shop, and whatever she earns is all the money for the model. When it's all paid off, I'll take her back.
"This way, you won't lose money, and Tyler doesn't have to go to the police station. It's perfect!"
As she spoke, she pushed me towards Della despite my struggles.
She pushed so hard that I stumbled into Della's arms.
Della instinctively supported me.
And Mabel let out a sigh of relief as if she had thrown off a huge burden.
She didn't even look back at me, turned around, and headed home.
She said happily, "Ms. Carter, it's settled! I leave Nora for you!"
Then she slammed the door with a bang.
Immediately, I heard the lock snap shut.
That sound was very light, but it was like a heavy hammer that smashed my entire world.
I was abandoned by my family.